Supai Village - October 2009

Chilly start for our 8 mile trek to the Supai Village.  A fast descending moderate switchback trail for 1.5 miles, then 6.5 miles gradually down through a sandy, rocky creek bed with beautiful Arizona Highways type scenery:

Warmer finally!

Dief next to what was a great rock landslide.  The 8 mile trail was moderate; October a great time to go as it was cooler.   The cliff walls provided lots of shade at times only so a summer hike could be tough.  We took I-17 to 69 to 89 past Chino Valley to Ash Fork.  Then I-40 to Seligman---good ole Route 66--spent the night there; up early leaving by 7 staying on Route 66 to Havasupai Hwy 18.  Right turn onto 18 for 60 miles dead-ending at the parking Supai parking lot.  No fee.  Check out the web site for Supai: http://www.havasupaitribe.com/village.html

Toting a backpack with camping gear would have been a bit much for Anna's knees, so we stayed at the Lodge in the Village.  Our host gave everyone a $55 off per night due to a broken hot water heater coil; yep we washed in 60 degree water.  Rooms were clean, A/C, comfy beds - no TV and no phones.
The cliff wall above the lodge .

The general store. A bit pricey but why not as supplies are delivered & hauled out by mule.   Havasupai Indians have inhabited this place for centuries with only a few modern conveniences;  it has a school, a post office, cafe, and a helipad.  It was truly a step-back in time for us.

This ravine about 100' wide and as deep was created during last year's flash flood.  To the Tribe's horror, their beautiful Navajo Falls and many trails were destroyed.   But nature provided instead several new falls, including this one which is yet un-named.  Restoration continues as more trees and vegetation will be planted along the ravine and would like to return in 10 years to see the results.

Before the flood the water used to flow from just above the upper water fall across the canyon to the right.
The upper falls seen here was also a new creation thanks to Mother Nature.

Havasu Falls.   The pools at the base were wiped out by the flood, so the tribe has jump-started Nature by rebuilding the pool walls which over time travertine deposits will continue to form to someday  showcase it's original grandeur.

Dief enjoying one of  several swims.

Fun!

But I don't want to leave yet!

Mooney Falls

The "trail" down to the base of Mooney Falls may look horrible from this angle but continue on and get really scared.  Anna chose to skip this E-Ticket ride.

Very wet from the falls spray, a slip from this point meant an 80' death drop.

This ladder was a great shape, the rickety aluminum one just down the way was only for the brave!

The reward at the end was well worth it for Dief.

This is the campground.  The flood destroyed it also but the Tribe continues to rebuild and have done a terrific job in just a year's time.   There's a little cafe on site with fry bread and other goodies.

Down a ways from Mooney another new Falls as a result of the Flood.    This new Fall has been named Rock Ralls.

The ghost of Navajo Falls.  This rock wall  used to have multiple water paths cascading down thru the trees and was the largest of all the Supai Falls.  We have a 14 x 24 color photograph of  Navajo Falls taken in 1999 and the beauty of it took your breath away.   One can only imagine what great loss this has been to the Tribe.

Old travertine formations demonstrating that the creek is always on the move.

The entrance to Supai Village.

Anna (her bum knees having had enough) elected to fly out instead of hiking out with Dief.  She rode next to the pilot, up front, and what an E-Ticket that was flying up and through the slot canyons --an IMAX moment for sure and well worth the $85 bucks.

Historic signs along Route 66.

THE END!